Ighalo believes that Ronaldo’s arrival in the Saudi Arabian Professional League would be a commercial boost to the league.
By Jeffrey Agbo
Nigeria international, Odion Ighalo, has urged Cristiano Ronaldo to join him in the Saudi Arabian Professional League, stating that the league is not a pushover.
Ronaldo became a free agent after Manchester United terminated his contract by mutual consent following his explosive interview where he condemned the club’s owner and manager.
The 37-year-old has been linked with a move to Ighalo’s Saudi Pro League club, Al Hilal, while Al Nassr are reported to be another team interested in signing him on a deal worth £173m per year.
But there are also strong talks that he could move to the Middle East in January.
Ighalo believes that Ronaldo’s arrival in the Saudi Arabian Professional League would be a commercial boost to the league.
“You never can tell, I would love him to do that,” says Ighalo told The Athletic.
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“I would love for him to come to Saudi because he would boost the league and add more fanbase to the league. People who aren’t already watching will start to engage with the league and see something they are missing.”
While Ighalo sees Ronaldo coming as desirable, he does have doubts about whether it will happen.
“Cristiano Ronaldo is hugely ambitious and I think he will want to play in a Champions League team and end his career well, but you never can say,” he continued.
“He has that decision to make and I wish him all the best in that decision, and hopefully, he will come to Saudi Arabia.
“Before I came, I thought the league would be a pushover but now, having played for two seasons, I know it’s one of the toughest in the region. Al Hilal won the AFC Champions League in 2019 and 2021 and qualified for the Club World Cup. The league is growing faster than I expected. More foreign players, coaches and the federation is backing it and you can see that reflected in the Saudi team.”
Ighalo left Old Trafford in January 2021 following a year-long stay in which he played 23 times and scored five goals, he joined Saudi side Al Shabab and now plays for Al Hilal.
